Tanka
Entwined rhythmic force.
Human instinct carries them.
Shared passions to reach
urgent climax together.
Must win this three-legged race!
Tanka
Entwined rhythmic force.
Human instinct carries them.
Shared passions to reach
urgent climax together.
Must win this three-legged race!
I’ve witnessed loved ones avoiding the death conversation with ill relatives who clearly want to talk about it. This poem portrays a situation where someone avoids such a conversation – and then it’s too late:
The Visits
PART 1
Oh it’s nice in here!
Could you look out some stuff?
The nurses are sincere
Things are getting tough…
Anything you’re needing?
I can now accept…
What’s that you’re reading?
There are things I’ve kept…
How’s your appetitive?
Could you get me a drink?
Did you sleep last night?
I’ve been having a think…
PART 2
Are you ok today?
I need to say…
You’re not going away!
It’s been a bad day….
You look pale
The pain’s worse.
You seem frail.
…
I’ll get the nurse.
…
Just you rest.
…
She’s distressed.
…
Please close the door
…
Please clear the floor
…
Is she asleep?
…
Beep
…
Beep
…
Beeeeeeeeep
.
Don’t light a candle for me when I’ve gone
Nor dwell on my death with a grief long drawn
Not Christmas or birthdays or anytime
Life is short, live it well as the years’ climb
Don’t visit my grave to remember me
In morbid cemeteries I won’t be
I’ll be hanging out in happy places
So mop up those tears from solemn faces
Don’t worry if your memories sometimes fade
My garden’s still blooming with seeds I laid
Look at what my time on earth still creates
There’s copied customs and family traits
I’m there in the way my boy’s kind and cares
and when a child I worked with can now share
or when my best girls laugh about our past
just remember in life I had a blast.
Don’t schedule in your time to think of me
No time for that, enjoy and be carefree
Was never one for a solemn meeting
Put your stamp on life – it is so fleeting
Don’t light a candle for me now I’ve gone
You’re wasting precious time – so move right on
Careful dressing up to look her best Careful with words to impress her guest Careful what you wish for – friends proclaimed Careful not to tell – she felt ashamed Careful meetings hidden from his wife Careful handling the jigsaw of life Careful plans to grow old together Careful to dress for any weather Careful talks with […]